After doing some research looking at "wireless backup camera" on this forum and other locations I found that most of the comment history goes back to 2015 and earlier. Since that time several new models have hit the market and there is now a bigger selection of cameras available with prices that are all over the map.

What is today's consensus on the best way to go? My goal is to find a unit that will show what's following close behind me.

First question would be "do you have room for a display?". There's only just so much room on the dash. Blocking part of your forward view is probably not a good idea. If you do have room, how much room do you have? Screens have gotten bigger and resolution has gone higher. A 17" screen may not be what you really want to have

Why all the questions? I find that with "only" a F-250 dash, there really isn't enough room for the one I have (the "factory" version) in addition to what's already there.

First question would be "do you have room for a display?". There's only just so much room on the dash. Blocking part of your forward view is probably not a good idea. If you do have room, how much room do you have? Screens have gotten bigger and resolution has gone higher. A 17" screen may not be what you really want to have

Why all the questions? I find that with "only" a F-250 dash, there really isn't enough room for the one I have (the "factory" version) in addition to what's already there.

Bob

Thanks for your reply.
I have a F150...a new one....and there is a little tray on top of the dash that I could place a 5" monitor.
I don't intend to keep it on the dash with the exception of towing only. Other times it would be stored.
Looking at Amazon, cameras run from less than $50 bucks to several hundred. I'm not interested in buying the cheapest. I want one with the best track record...and reviews. I'm thinking $200 to perhaps $350 cost wise.

I have the same cab on the F-250 so I know which tray you are talking about. I agree that something 5" or smaller might fit there. Depending on where the driver's seat is set, you may get a bit of your view forward blocked.

The real question is - do you get enough detail on a screen like that (at that distance from the driver) to do much good? Most of these cameras have pretty wide angle lenses on them. Think of the view with most cell phone cameras (or wider). Trying to sort out details is not all that easy.

Again, this is not a knock on any one camera, or even the idea of doing this. It's just what I've run into trying to do it. In order to be useful, there is a balance between distraction and information. One option I'm still thinking of is mounting something over by the co-pilot. Let them sort things out and relay "just the facts" to the driver. That would let you go with a much larger screen.

I just started using a BU camera. I found using an IPAD (fairly large screen) and angling it on the floor (between driver and passenger), let me glance down when needed and see things pretty quickly. I could use one of our cell phones and put it up on the dash (little divot for it in the RAM), but I like the bigger screen. Ends up it is really secondary (double check vs. mirrors) so I like it out of the way. Also - like having flexibility of using phone or IPAD and not a separate dedicated display. Anyway that is just what i have found. I will let someone else comment on models / brands. I went the $50 way (and quite satisfied with that). If trying to hit $200/$300 assume you are installing yourself? If not - expect install will not be cheap.

Have you considered wi fi or bluetooth? Using wi fi, you can get an Esky ECI70-08 camera and 903W wi fi transmitter from Amazon. Use your smart phone or tablet for the monitor and the IKROSS IKHD22 cup mount for cellphone or tablet to use as the holder. all for around $100. Download the free software and you have a backup system that will work for as long as you want without taking up any dash real estate. Your monitor can be as big as a 10" tablet or as small as your smart phone. Just an idea from someone who is a cheapskate and doesn't want to figure out all of the necessary wiring to the dash.

I bought individual components on eBay and assembled a system myself. It works pretty well understanding that it loses the wireless signal occasionally during driving but overall it works great both on the road at highway speed for safer lane changes and for backing the trailer up. The components are: a small color monitor connected to a video receiver on the same frequency as the transmitter, a video signal transmitter which connects to a small "button" camera mounted on the back. I bought a cigarette lighter plug to power the monitor and receiver in cab. Camera and transmitter are in the back of the trailer of course and power is on for the transmitter when the running lights are on which allows it to not slowly drain the trailer battery. I just set the monitor on the dash during towing.

I placed my monitor on the passenger side of the dash and I have no visibility issues at all. Of course the Little Mrs. complains occasionally. Just purchased a new 2017 F-250 and am hoping to use Ford's new TPMS and trailer camera set up which will eliminate anything on the dash.

On a side note a did try a Rand McNally RV atlas. It has a lot of interesting functions but almost Impossible to mount on the dash without blocking some visibility. Also the screen was not very good so was difficult to see while driving.

I went the cheap way as described above with the button camera and wireless wifi transmitter and used it on my I pad and cell phone. It works okay but it is wired to my backup lights and there is a slight delay and I have to press the app each time to connect. I then got the 7" color monitor with 2 video imputs $26 and another camera $6 and a set of wireless transmitter/receivers for $10. Have the camera looking thru the tinted back window and plugged into the 12v plug. The monitor and reciever I plug into the 12v in the console. I put the screen on the floor hump or sometimes up on the tray. I also have a f150. So for a little over $50 works good. I also wired the rear camera on truck to the second input and can switch front one to other. Eventually I plant to mount the camere outside . Ordered all on ebay.

Have you considered wi fi or bluetooth? Using wi fi, you can get an Esky ECI70-08 camera and 903W wi fi transmitter from Amazon. Use your smart phone or tablet for the monitor and the IKROSS IKHD22 cup mount for cellphone or tablet to use as the holder. all for around $100. Download the free software and you have a backup system that will work for as long as you want without taking up any dash real estate. Your monitor can be as big as a 10" tablet or as small as your smart phone. Just an idea from someone who is a cheapskate and doesn't want to figure out all of the necessary wiring to the dash.

mrdfred, could you explain exactly how you did this? I will be traveling alone, first time AS owner with 22' Sport, and I think this would be helpful. I am not mechanic material so perhaps I need someone to hook this up for me (if so, who?). What exact products did you buy on Amazon?
Thank you!

Don't know what the latest, greatest is, but I have been well served by my Voyager camera. Hangs from the windshield just above the middle tray on the dash of my F150. Since I don't have factory wide tow mirrors, this has been great as it allows me to constantly check what is coming up behind me. Only improvement would be visible directional lines like on the factory backup screen activated only when in reverse to better guide you in backup mode!

Hmmm...since it's 2017, I am considering mounting a GoPro mount to the back. Easy to mount, the double sided tape they use is amazing. Unobtrusive. Take camera on and off. Stream to phone or tablet. You can get a GoPro for about $150 and you have a multi use item. Anyone else heard of this?